Among Paolo Russo’s collaborations with two of the greatest Italian jazz musicians: Stefano Bollani and Paolo Fresu … Video

17.09. – Happy Birthday !!! Paolo Russo born in Pescara, Italy, in 1969, based in Copenhagen, Denmark since 1996. He started to play the piano at the age of 9. After leaving the University, where he studied Architecture for 5 years, Paolo dedicated himself completely to music.

He is educated both in classical music and in rhythmic music. He has performed all all around Europe, as well as Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Japan, Faroe Islands, Thailand, Tanzania, Mozambique, Algeria, Russia, USA, Greenland and Cuba.

He has released 12 albums. He studied music in New York with Richie Beirach and in Buenos Aires with Néstor Marconi, and collaborated with many local and international artists, including Lelo Nika, Gianluigi Trovesi, Pablo Ziegler, Caroline Henderson, Howe Gelb, Stefano Bollani, Paolo Fresu, Nico Gori, Bo Stief, Etta Cameron, Line Kruse, Thomas Clausen, Robertinho Silva, Diego Figueiredo, Marilyn Mazur, Poul Krebs, Jesper Bodilsen, Emanuele Cisi, Harold López Nussa, Eliel Lazo, Diego Schissi, Calixto Oviedo, Karima Nayt.

Paolo has composed music for theatre plays in Copenhagen: “Rejsen til i morgen” and “Pan” – Anemone Teatret “ 2000/2002, “Frimærkeballet” – Bådteatret – 2001/02. Since he discovered the bandoneón, in 2001, this beautiful and mysterious instrument has become crucial in his productions and live performances. In 2002 he was the main subject (together with his wife, Katrine Krog Russo) for the documentary film “The illogical instrument”, directed by Arun Sharma. He composed and produced soundtracks for the movies “See you in the future” and “Polizzi, my little Brooklyn” by Camilla Roos Overbye. His bandoneón playing can be also appreciated on the soundtrack of the movie “Love is all you need”, by Danish film director Susanne Bier (2012). In 2012, together with the Danish producer Mikkel Maltha, he composed and recorded the new soundtrack of the popular Danish sit-com “Klovn” (Netflix version).

Among his collaborations: the RUSSO/BOLLANI/FRESU TRIO, with two of the greatest Italian jazz musicians: Stefano Bollani and Paolo Fresu. Furthermore, he has collaborated with the Danish Radio Underholdningsorkester (2007), with the Sjælland Symfoniorkester (2011), with the University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra (since 2009; conductor: Saul Zaks) and with the Orkester Midtvest (2012). He has performed in some of the most important concert halls in the world: Berliner Konzerthaus (Berlin); Musikverein (Wien); Carnegie Hall (New York City); Symphony Space (New York City). In the years 2013-2016, he has performed around Europe with the “Duo Russo & Vilensky”, together with Latvian cello player Ruslan Vilensky.

It is possible to appreciate his vast variety of productions and collaborations in the video portrait “Las Teclas” (youtube), showing a series of live performances presented in Denmark throughout the years 2011-2012, as well as on his Youtube channel. To mention also his unique and suggestive solo recital on piano and bandoneón, which he has presented in Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Argentina and Uruguay since 2002.